Seasonal affective disorder triggers PTSD but how? People with disorders will experience a change in themselves at the same time every year. Such as losing interest in social activities, undergoing eating and sleeping issues, or other things they once found enjoyable. In this blog, we will discuss PTSD and SAD and their ways to ease seasonal stress.
What is Seasonal Affective Disorder
Most people feel dull or low in the winter . Especially if they reside in an area with frequent climate changes and have dark winters. Some claim that it feels “like hibernation,” which affects their daily lives. We refer to this as seasonal affective disorder, winter depression or blues. It is a type of emotional distress.
Explore here What Is Emotional Distress?
According to the NHS,
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) affects one in 20 people (Healthwatch, 2023).
Causes of Seasonal Disorder
An imbalance in brain chemistry causes SAD. Shorter daylight hours and less sunlight exposure impact your body’s ability to produce chemicals and hormones. These things signal about whether you should get to sleep or stay awake.
Hypothalamus is an area in the brain that controls your appetite, and sleep. It also affects your moods. It is triggered by sunlight. Some people with SAD have low sunlight and brain chemical issues. They hinder the hypothalamus. This then affects:
- The process of a hormones that regulates mood and sleep
- Disturb the body’s circadian rhythm, or internal clock. It controls energy over 24 hours.
Due to these reasons seasonal affective disorder triggers ptsd.
Click here to know about What Are The Causes of PTSD?
What Are the Signs of SAD?
Combine Signs of Seasonal Disorder and PTSD
The common symptoms which show up when a seasonal affective disorder triggers ptsd are:
SAD Symptoms:
- Low energy
- Feeling sad or hopeless
- Sleeping too much
- Weight gain
- Trouble focusing
PTSD Signs:
- Flashbacks or nightmares
- Avoiding places or things tied to trauma
- Feeling on edge
- Trouble sleeping
- Negative thoughts
Seasonal affective disorder that triggers PTSD may have signs that overlap. For example, poor sleep from PTSD can worsen SAD. Both can drain energy and affect mood.
Sometimes behaviours are also related to wintertime blues, they may also be connected to SAD if the severity doesn’t die over time.
“One theory proposes that people with seasonal affective disorder may have a reduction in the brain chemical (neurotransmitter) called Serotonin. Serotonin helps regulate mood, and researchers believe that sunlight controls the molecules’ levels that manage normal serotonin levels.”
-Shirley Davis
Diagnosis of Seasonal Stress with PTSD
Doctors ask about symptoms to diagnose these disorders. They may:
- Ask how long you feel sad or scared.
- Check your sleep, mood, and energy levels.
- Use mental health tests.
Blood tests may check for other problems like thyroid issues. This rules out other causes of low energy.
How Does SAD Trigger PTSD?
The seasonal affective disorder triggers PTSD in the people as the days grow shorter and sunlight decreases. It can greatly impact someone with PTSD, worsening their mental health.
The Seasonal Affective Disorder Trigger PTSD Connection
Changes in Light
The reduction of natural sunlight in winter can alter the body’s internal state. This leads to mood swings and sleep disturbances. People with PTSD and seasonal affective disorder, can cause heightened feelings of anxiety and sadness.
Mood Shifts
The less sunlight in cold winter can lead to a drop in mood. It can also make someone with ptsd and sad feel more alone and withdrawn.
Sleep Disruption
Disrupted sleep in seasonal affective disorder triggers ptsd which can raise anxiety and irritability. PTSD and seasonal affective disorder makes it hard to manage bad events.
Treatment for ptsd and seasonal affective disorder
Methods to Ease Seasonal Depression
There are many treatments for SAD. Here are some ways to feel better:
Cognitive Therapy
Cognitive therapy helps you change negative thoughts. A therapist can suggest the following ways.
Get more insight on What Is CBT?
Medication
Antidepressants can help balance brain chemicals. Medication may work best with therapy.
Exercise and Diet
Exercise boosts mood and energy. Even walking 20 minutes a day helps. Eating healthy foods also helps. Try:
- Leafy greens
- Fish rich in omega-3s
- Nuts and seeds
Relaxation Techniques
Stress may worsen the symptoms. Techniques such as yoga, meditation and deep breathing can relieve Seasonal affective disorder that triggers PTSD.
Light Therapy
Light therapy uses a bright lamp. You sit near it for 20-30 minutes daily. This boosts serotonin levels. It works as sunlight and lifts mood. Studies show light therapy works well for this disorder.
How Light Therapy Works
Light therapy works by imitating the sun. The light resets your body clock. It also boosts your dopamine and you feel fresh and awake. People with seasonal affective disorder triggers ptsd find light therapy very helpful.
Tips for Using Light Therapy:
- Use it in the morning.
- Place the lamp close to your face.
- Do not stare at the light.
- Start with 20 minutes daily.
Why SAD Makes PTSD Harder to Manage
Worsened Emotional State
- When sadness from disorder increases, they can lead to emotional overload. This burden makes it more tricky to manage trauma in a healthy way.
Overwhelming Feelings
- SAD adds an emotional weight to feel even more helpless. This often leads to greater distress in daily life.
Get Help From Concise Medico
Seasonal affective disorder triggers ptsd by making symptoms worse. Both affect your moods and thoughts. CBT and light therapy can be effective treatment options. At times, medication can aid in it. Healthy lifestyle can also ease symptoms. Healing takes time, but it is possible to manage stress. If you feel stressed, reach out for help today.
FAQs
Seasonal affective disorder triggers PTSD but how? People with disorders will experience a change in themselves at the same time every year. Such as losing interest in social activities, undergoing eating and sleeping issues, or other things they once found enjoyable. In this blog, we will discuss PTSD and SAD and their ways to ease seasonal stress.
What is Seasonal Affective Disorder
Most people feel dull or low in the winter . Especially if they reside in an area with frequent climate changes and have dark winters. Some claim that it feels “like hibernation,” which affects their daily lives. We refer to this as seasonal affective disorder, winter depression or blues. It is a type of emotional distress.
Explore here What Is Emotional Distress?
According to the NHS,
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) affects one in 20 people (Healthwatch, 2023).
Causes of Seasonal Disorder
An imbalance in brain chemistry causes SAD. Shorter daylight hours and less sunlight exposure impact your body’s ability to produce chemicals and hormones. These things signal about whether you should get to sleep or stay awake.
Hypothalamus is an area in the brain that controls your appetite, and sleep. It also affects your moods. It is triggered by sunlight. Some people with SAD have low sunlight and brain chemical issues. They hinder the hypothalamus. This then affects:
- The process of a hormones that regulates mood and sleep
- Disturb the body’s circadian rhythm, or internal clock. It controls energy over 24 hours.
Due to these reasons seasonal affective disorder triggers ptsd.
Click here to know about What Are The Causes of PTSD?
What Are the Signs of SAD?
Combine Signs of Seasonal Disorder and PTSD
The common symptoms which show up when a seasonal affective disorder triggers ptsd are:
SAD Symptoms:
- Low energy
- Feeling sad or hopeless
- Sleeping too much
- Weight gain
- Trouble focusing
PTSD Signs:
- Flashbacks or nightmares
- Avoiding places or things tied to trauma
- Feeling on edge
- Trouble sleeping
- Negative thoughts
Seasonal affective disorder that triggers PTSD may have signs that overlap. For example, poor sleep from PTSD can worsen SAD. Both can drain energy and affect mood.
Sometimes behaviours are also related to wintertime blues, they may also be connected to SAD if the severity doesn’t die over time.
“One theory proposes that people with seasonal affective disorder may have a reduction in the brain chemical (neurotransmitter) called Serotonin. Serotonin helps regulate mood, and researchers believe that sunlight controls the molecules’ levels that manage normal serotonin levels.”
-Shirley Davis
Diagnosis of Seasonal Stress with PTSD
Doctors ask about symptoms to diagnose these disorders. They may:
- Ask how long you feel sad or scared.
- Check your sleep, mood, and energy levels.
- Use mental health tests.
Blood tests may check for other problems like thyroid issues. This rules out other causes of low energy.
How Does SAD Trigger PTSD?
The seasonal affective disorder triggers PTSD in the people as the days grow shorter and sunlight decreases. It can greatly impact someone with PTSD, worsening their mental health.
The Seasonal Affective Disorder Trigger PTSD Connection
Changes in Light
The reduction of natural sunlight in winter can alter the body’s internal state. This leads to mood swings and sleep disturbances. People with PTSD and seasonal affective disorder, can cause heightened feelings of anxiety and sadness.
Mood Shifts
The less sunlight in cold winter can lead to a drop in mood. It can also make someone with ptsd and sad feel more alone and withdrawn.
Sleep Disruption
Disrupted sleep in seasonal affective disorder triggers ptsd which can raise anxiety and irritability. PTSD and seasonal affective disorder makes it hard to manage bad events.
Treatment for ptsd and seasonal affective disorder
Methods to Ease Seasonal Depression
There are many treatments for SAD. Here are some ways to feel better:
Cognitive Therapy
Cognitive therapy helps you change negative thoughts. A therapist can suggest the following ways.
Get more insight on What Is CBT?
Medication
Antidepressants can help balance brain chemicals. Medication may work best with therapy.
Exercise and Diet
Exercise boosts mood and energy. Even walking 20 minutes a day helps. Eating healthy foods also helps. Try:
- Leafy greens
- Fish rich in omega-3s
- Nuts and seeds
Relaxation Techniques
Stress may worsen the symptoms. Techniques such as yoga, meditation and deep breathing can relieve Seasonal affective disorder that triggers PTSD.
Light Therapy
Light therapy uses a bright lamp. You sit near it for 20-30 minutes daily. This boosts serotonin levels. It works as sunlight and lifts mood. Studies show light therapy works well for this disorder.
How Light Therapy Works
Light therapy works by imitating the sun. The light resets your body clock. It also boosts your dopamine and you feel fresh and awake. People with seasonal affective disorder triggers ptsd find light therapy very helpful.
Tips for Using Light Therapy:
- Use it in the morning.
- Place the lamp close to your face.
- Do not stare at the light.
- Start with 20 minutes daily.
Why SAD Makes PTSD Harder to Manage
Worsened Emotional State
- When sadness from disorder increases, they can lead to emotional overload. This burden makes it more tricky to manage trauma in a healthy way.
Overwhelming Feelings
- SAD adds an emotional weight to feel even more helpless. This often leads to greater distress in daily life.
Get Help From Concise Medico
Seasonal affective disorder triggers ptsd by making symptoms worse. Both affect your moods and thoughts. CBT and light therapy can be effective treatment options. At times, medication can aid in it. Healthy lifestyle can also ease symptoms. Healing takes time, but it is possible to manage stress. If you feel stressed, reach out for help today.
